‘Sultan Kemnaker’ Breaks Down in Court: ‘I Come with Shame and Deep Regret’

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Coordinator for Institutional Development and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Personnel at the Ministry of Manpower, Irvian Bobby Mahendro alias ‘Sultan Kemnaker’, wept while admitting his guilt in a case involving alleged extortion in the processing of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certificates. ‘I come with shame and a heart full of deep regret for my actions,’ Bobby said while reading his defence statement titled ‘Return to the Right Path’ at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (26/5/2026). Bobby stated he did not intend to justify his actions. ‘I understand that my actions have damaged institutional trust, breached legal values, and caused negative impacts on others,’ he said. In his plea, Bobby also claimed to have cooperated throughout the legal process. He claimed he did not flee, did not destroy evidence, and handed over seized vehicle documents to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). ‘I confess all my actions honestly, even though this admission is extremely difficult for me and my family,’ Bobby said. ‘Perhaps losing one man is common in the world. But losing a father is the loss of the world for my children,’ he added. He said he spends every night in detention thinking about his children who now must live without him as a father. At the conclusion of his plea, Bobby asked the judges to impose the lightest possible sentence. ‘I request the lightest possible sentence, not just for myself, but for my young children who still need a father,’ he said. In this case, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (JPU) sought a six-year prison sentence and a Rp 250 million fine with 90 days’ imprisonment in default of payment. The prosecutors also demanded Rp 60 billion in restitution with two years’ imprisonment in default of payment. The prosecution believes Irvian Bobby Mahendro is guilty of violating Section 12(b) and Section 12(B) in conjunction with Section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Law, in conjunction with Section 20(c) and Section 127(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP).